Bog owners along the River Moy who were advised in Government notices published last week that they can no longer cut turf if their bog is located among the hundreds of townlands listed in the notice, may not all be subject to turf-cutting restrictions.
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has written to identified owners of land or turbary rights in Mayo affected by this announcement - and has urged individuals who believe they may be eligible to contact the Department, which has established a compensation scheme for qualifying turf cutters.
One concerned turfcutter told the Mayo Advertiser this week: “What they are really talking about in those ads in regard to bog designated as part of the Special Area of Conservation, is a 20m strip along a tributary of the Moy, which is totally misleading. Hundreds of people own bogs in the townlands listed and some of them think they can never cut bog there again; but there is no cessation of turf cutting in these areas.”
Those with queries on the issue are advised to call the Department of the Environment on LoCall 1890 253 147 or 053 9117310.
